Regardless of the reasons that prompted you to submit your first resignation letter, you may think again and realize that you really care about your current job. It's not always possible to retract a resignation letter, but there are small strategies you can follow to increase your chances of success.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Submit a Written Request
Step 1. Send a letter as soon as possible
Once you have made the decision that you want to stay in your current job, write a short letter explaining your reasons for withdrawing your resignation letter. Send the letter to your boss or HR department within a day or two at the most.
Sending a written request is the first step. Once you've got the letter delivered to the right person, though, you should also try talking to them directly, whether it's on the phone or in person
Step 2. Write a formal letter
Your letter can be quite short, but it must be written according to certain criteria. You must show yourself as professional as possible to convince your employer to accept your change of decision: you will have to demonstrate a high level of seriousness and respect from every point of view.
- Remember to write your name, address and telephone number on the top of the envelope.
- Under your contact information also write the date.
- Write the name of the person you are addressing the letter to, followed by that person's title and company address.
- After you are done with these steps, write the header. A formula like "Dear Mr. … / Dear Mr. …" will be fine.
- Write the text of the letter immediately after the header.
- Close the letter with a professional greeting, such as "Yours sincerely". Remember to put a comma after the greeting.
- Sign after the greeting and remember to also write your name in block capitals.
Step 3. State your intentions
In the first paragraph, you must openly state that you want to withdraw your previous discharge request. Also include some details about your resignation letter.
- Immediately state your willingness to retract the letter of resignation.
- State the date you sent your resignation letter and the date of your last scheduled work day. Doing so will make it easier for your boss to find your previous letter.
- Remember that this part of the letter doesn't have to be long - a sentence or two is more than enough.
- For example: “I would like to cancel my previous resignation letter, sent on [letter date], which had [expected resignation date, which usually follows the resignation letter a couple of weeks] as the last working day. Please accept this letter as a formal sign of my desire to withdraw the aforementioned resignation letter”.
Step 4. In the second paragraph write some more details
You should state the reasons for retracting the previous letter. You may also want to share with your boss why it would be helpful to stay at work.
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If you changed your mind without your boss trying to convince you, try to explain what made you change your mind. If so, you should also push harder to get your boss to let you stay at work. Try talking about what you've done in the past if you've had good results, or suggest that continuing to get you to work would definitely be cheaper than hiring a new employee.
For example: “After thinking about it, I realized that I would be very happy to keep my position as [job title] at [company name]. Working for this company has been really congenial to me in the past and I believe that continuing to make me work would also be useful for the company itself. In the past I have demonstrated my skills more than once and I am already an expert in my field of work”
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If, on the other hand, you want to retract your resignation after receiving a counter-offer from your employer, repeat the conditions set out in this part of the letter, including any promotions, salary increases or other benefits.
For example: "After our conversation, I have decided that I would be very happy to accept the promotion to [new title] that has been so generously offered to me."
Step 5. Conclude with a positive tone
In the third and final paragraph of the letter, try to get into your boss's good graces by writing something positive about the company and expressing gratitude.
- Remind your boss how grateful you are and apologize for the inconvenience. Humility is the key here.
- You can mention your plans for the future, how they relate to the company and its success, but remember that this is not always necessary.
- For example: “In hopes of having the privilege of continuing to work at [company name], I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused. Thank you in advance for your understanding and consideration”.
Method 2 of 3: Talk to the Chief or the Human Resources Department
Step 1. Make your intentions clear
When speaking to your boss or a human resources employee in person, try to emphasize your desire to continue working for the company.
- After the goodbyes, the first topic you should mention should be your willingness to cancel your previous resignation letter.
- Try to have a copy of your resignation letter and the next one on hand in case your boss can't find them.
Step 2. Explain your motives
Your boss will likely ask you why you wanted to quit and why you changed your mind. Be honest. Depending on the circumstances, your boss may be willing to listen to you and offer you an incentive to stimulate your loyalty to the company.
- At this point you will have the opportunity to delve into a greater number of details than what was done in the first and second letters.
- Discuss the problems that led you to resign, especially if there is hope that they can be solved. If you are in financial difficulty, want to learn new skills or have any other problems within the department, remember to talk about them right away, as they are rather easy problems to solve. You could also talk about issues that are beyond the company's control, such as your desire to relocate for personal reasons. It is possible that, in such a case, you may be moved to another branch of the company or be assigned work from home, if circumstances permit.
- Also discuss the reasons that keep you coming back. Name the things you like about your job and express your desire to continue doing it. By explaining your reasons for staying, you can show that you have made a decision with great seriousness.
Step 3. Find out what information is best to omit
If you have been thinking about leaving your job for another more interesting offer that has failed, it might be wise not to mention it.
- Letting your employer know that you have nowhere else to go will put you at a disadvantage, especially if you are hoping to negotiate your terms of employment. If you have no other job offers, you are more likely to be desperate and want to continue your job, even on less satisfactory terms.
- Obviously, if you are asked directly, it is best not to invent that you have other offers available.
Step 4. Show your commitment
Since you have already resigned, you may have given your employer the impression that you are not loyal enough to the company. Emphasize your renewed commitment as you talk to your boss or HR manager to reassure them about this.
- Be humble, respectful and kind. Thank your boss for his time and let him know how much you appreciate your job and the company.
- At the same time, speak positively about your work skills, your professional history and your work ethic. You need to make it clear to your boss that keeping you is better than sending you away.
- If your initial resignation was made in the heat of the moment, you need to try to maintain strong self-control. Try to explain your reasons calmly, even if your boss or human resources employee try to tease you.
Method 3 of 3: Managing the Consequences
Step 1. Understand your position
Unfortunately, your employer is under no legal obligation to reinstate you, especially when your initial resignation was sent in writing. However, your boss may consider your request depending on the circumstances, so it's worth a try.
- Your boss is more likely to let you stay if you have proven yourself a great worker in the past and quit peacefully, for legitimate and understandable reasons.
- Your boss is less likely to allow you to stay if you have not had a good job performance in the past or if you resigned out of anger or for unclear reasons.
Step 2. Work hard, regardless of the answer
If your boss chooses to let you stay, show him that his decision was wise by doing as much as possible. If, on the other hand, he does not accept your request, you will still have to commit to the remaining period of work.
- Even if your boss refuses to cancel your resignation, you are still required by law to continue working until the official resignation date specified in your first letter.
- Breaking ties with the old workplace is a bad idea. Show that you are not resentful, especially since your future employers may call your former company to ask for their opinion of you and decide whether or not to hire you.
Step 3. Continue on your way, if necessary
If your boss refuses your request, you may find yourself in trouble, especially if you don't have any other job offers. Start looking for another job right away.
- Learn to survive if you can't find a job. There are several state grants and programs to help the unemployed looking for a job.
- Search for a new job actively by updating your resume, preparing for interviews and applying for other positions.
